THE GATHERING
IRELAND SUMMER 2013
The Gathering – Ireland’s worldwide invitation to visit in summer 2013 – is finally here, and has been well worth the wait! With over 2,000 Gathering events taking place, including festivals, heritage activities, family gatherings, sporting events and more, The Gathering is rolling out the Green carpet this year to show the world today’s Ireland.
Although many of the activities are geared toward descendants of Ireland – especially from Great Britain, the United States and Canada - you don’t need to have Irish roots to appreciate The Gathering. If you enjoy culture, scenic beauty, amazing food and great conversation, you’ll be right at home in Ireland this year. Here are some special events you won’t want to miss.
JFK 50 President John F. Kennedy made an historic visit to Ireland on June 26-29, 1963, and the Gathering will celebrate the 50th anniversary of that famous trip with a series of events in JFK’s ancestral home in New Ross, County Wexford. On June 22, 2013, a homecoming parade takes place on the streets of New Ross, then Taoiseach Enda Kenny will officially unveil the Emigrant Trail, followed by the opening of the Kennedy Homestead and Visitors Centre at nearby Dunganstown.
Other related activities taking place in Wexford this summer include Irish America
Day on July 4, a celebration of Independence Day, and the Kennedy Summer School, a festival of Irish and American culture, history and politics which runs from September 12-15. For more information visit kennedysummerschool.ie.
Riverdance
On Saturday, July 20, Riverdance, the world-renowned Irish dance show, will take over Merrion Square in Dublin for a funfilled day of music and dance. Many of the show’s top dancers will be on hand to lead a special outdoor ceili, and you’ll also get to see highlights from the show’s nineteen year history. The event runs from 2:00 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. and is free to all.
Then on Sunday, July 21, the Riverdance folks are planning to create the world’s biggest line dance, with over 1,000 dancers expected to line up along the banks of the River Liffey in Dublin to set a new Guinness Book of Records, currently held by Nashville, TN. That evening, check out two special performances of Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. Among the special guests are Jean Butler, the original lead dancer of the show and Moya Doherty, co-founder of Riverdance.
Kilkenny Arts Festival
This world-renowned festival of theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Highlights of this year’s festival, which runs from August 9-18, includes performances by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, performing The Taming of the Shrew; an appearance by four-time Grammy Award winning soprano Dawn Upshaw, who performs in St. Canice’s Cathedral on August 14; and performances by Camerata Ireland, the only All-Ireland orchestra, combining musicians from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Camerata Ireland is performing the works of English composer Benjamin Britten to celebrate his centenary, on August 11.
Bluegrass Festival
Bluegrass is an American musical form, forged in the Appalachian Mountains, but much of the music has its roots in the Irish and Scottish musical traditions. The 22nd annual Blue Music Festival takes place August 30 through September 1, 2013 at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, County Tyrone. Lonesome River Band, one of America’s top bluegrass bands with over sixteen albums, is headlining this year’s festival. Other performers of this worldrenowned art form include Rawhide from Belgium, the Jaywalkers from England, and Southern Tenant Folk Union from Scotland.
See you at the Gathering!
Ireland.com
TheGatheringIreland.com
SOME IMAGES TO WHET YOUR APPETITE!
SLIGO - - Benbulben
ANTRIM - - The Giant's Causeway
BELFAST - - The Titanic
CLARE - - The Cliffs of Moher
WICKLOW - - Blainroe Golf Club
TIPPERARY - - The Rock of Cashel
All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil (Music Festival)
Visit Ireland.com to see more spectacular images.